KAYTRANADA Timeless Tour 2024, with Channel Tres, Sam Gellaitry @Forest Hills Stadium

Oct 9

I had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to see KAYTRANADA live since at least 2016 when 99% dropped. I thought it finally was the right time four years ago, until the Corona virus happened and the tour was canceled. Which is why as soon as I saw he was doing a Timeless tour and performing at one of my favorite small stadiums in NYC, I had to buy tickets immediately. Sold out back-to-back Friday and Saturday nights’ shows, I knew we were in for a very good time.

It seemed like the perfect way to kick off my birthday celebrations this year, so I invited a couple of my best friends and their partners and we all got ready to dance and have a good time. The show started on the early side which was nice for a change. Doors opened at 5, giving us a moment to grab drinks and a bite to eat before Scottish DJ Sam Gellaitry opened with his set. I wasn’t familiar with his music except for his collab with PinkPantheress which was easily one of my favorite songs from 2022. My friend from LA was thrilled for me when I mentioned his name, letting me know his time with Soulection cemented a devoted fan base on the West, so I looked forward to checking out his live set. It seemed like most of the crowd didn’t know him well either. He played a lot of unreleased music as well as some Charli XCX and a 2006 Teriyaki Boyz throwback to get people moving while everyone made it inside and the stadium slowly filled up.

Channel Tres
Photo Credit: Samantha M. Lopez

Next was Channel Tres. The Compton rapper and producer has a very distinct voice and sound I was excited to hear live. But it was his stage presence that set him apart. He didn’t DJ, instead he and his backup dancers had perfected choreography for each song he played.

This was a headliner worthy set and show. Performing my favorites including “Controller,” “Cactus Water,” “I’ve Been in Love,” “6am” and of course “Topdown” — we were having an incredible time watching the sun set in the background dancing to the rhythm.

KAYTRANADA
Photo Credit: Samantha M. Lopez

At 8pm sharp, KAYTRANADA made it to the stage. Setting up a stemmed glass of white wine right above his mixing board, the Hatian-Canadian producer opened with his album opening track “Pressure” before going into his set, which mostly consisted of his three main albums, 99%, BUBBA, and Timeless, as well as songs from Intimidated and At All.

Taking breaks to sip from his glass, he also played some of his biggest produced songs including GoldLink’s Meditation, and Victoria Monét’s Alright. The transitions between songs were seamless, the baseline vibrating through the crowd with dazzling pyrotechnics illuminating the swaying crowd. Everyone was moving, it was impossible not to.

KAYTRANADA matched the energy and playful spirit of his songs, singing along to his tracks and doing his signature drop during “Be Your Girl.” Ethereal visuals during Witchy, striking poses during “Dance Dance Dance Dance,” the crowd feeling every bit of the contagious energy. It was a perfect set, divided into two halves: the first half of the show was upbeat, the second slower and smoother.

“This ain’t no concert man, this is a party!” he exclaimed toward the end of his set, and he certainly delivered an electric, visually stunning dance party. An ode to his catalogue, it was obvious that the overwhelming theme and feeling of levity was his ability to entertain and foster an environment that feels divine, and brings thousands of people together.